Hose-coupling.



R. N. IVIARTZ.

HOSE COUPLING. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 27. 1916.

1,Q38,9Q&

I -Patented Sept. 4, 1917.

W INVENTOR sired"- to disconnect the sections.

BANDOLPH.N. MARTZ, OF- FREDERICK}MARYLANDQASSIGNOREOOHARUES Q enemy, on FREDERICK, MARYLAND.

nosn-conrmnei Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentediSept. a, ioia Application filed mew 27, 1916. serialno; 74,633.

To all whom it mayconcewmr Be -itknown that: I; .RAN'DOLPH r N. MAR-T2, a citizen of the United States-residing at Frederick, in-the conntyof Frederick: an'dE StateofIMaryland, have invented a new and useful Hose Coupling, of which the follow ing is alspecification.

The present invention relatesto an im provemenst: in: hoseconplings, and has par ticnlar: reference to certain improvements in the hose coupling set forth" and described in Letters Eaten-t? No. 1=,128,4;74t, grantedi me February 16, 19 15;

.;The principali object ofthe 'present i11 vention-iscto :provideaaihose 'conpling; Which possesses alli of thei advantages of the hose coupling described in my prior: patent':'above. referredito, and which at% the: samef time isi provided Ewith an antom atic latch f oninte-r lockingi the' opposed tubular sections ofthe couplingtnvhe-n theyiareabrou'ght into proper interfittingwengagement, and to provid'e means whereby the latches mayvibe' quickly and *eas= ily released;so'that'tlfe conplin-g'may be disconnected quickly,- and' ivith' comparative ease. i i

Aiiother ohject of the present invention is to provide each section of' the coupling with a: latch, so peculiarlymounted inthe sectionthatiit is protectedwand*honsed, and at thesame timeisinnosition for ready accessior releasing the latch When it is de This ob j ect of the invention also contemplates the provision of projections on: each one of the tubular sections of: the coupling, so that when the projections are interfitted,thelatch m ay engage the opposed interfittingi "pro-jewtions, a nd thus interlock i the same to-hold I the members from iaccidental disengagement by vibration, or thelike.

A1 still further obj-ectof this invention is to providevagcoupling of this character having allot the above" noted features, With 21 swii 'eledwnipple to which the-hoseg or other pipe may be connected, so as to :admitof thefree 'rotati on lot one of-the tnbnl membors-npon the end ofthehose."

Other objects-and advantagesofthis invention will appear from the follo\vin'g;-'specific d isclosnre of the pnesent i preferred, em

bodiment of this inven'tion'; the same being illiist ratech in the accompanying drawing,

Figure 1 is an"- end elevationof the improved con'pling -1iavi mg {the tubular section'sthereof 'arbntting, vand in position" to be interfitted, the hosebeingshoivn in section.

Fig! 2 is a transverse" sectiona' l view; through the coupling, \vith the 'members in teriittedv and? interlocked, the section being taken thronghi the interfitting projections carried Pupon the opposite "sections;

Fig. his aa longitudinal central sectional view, talcenloirtheline 4-4w of Fig. 2, and showing! the parts interfitting and interlocked. I t

Fig: 5 1 is akdetaili side elevationa'l View of: one of" tlie *tnbnlar sections of the con pling; showvingathe sidenponwhich the latch is mounted Fig. (his a side elevational view ofthe" opposed? tnbular section of the con-pling; showingsthe projecting housingand handle for the: latch and 5 section.

It g. 7 is a1 detail perspective view of one off the latches.

- Fig 8 isva 'd'etaillperspective view of on c of the springs employed 1 for? actuating the latches:

Referring to the drawing; wherein like parts are-designatedhy'similar numerals 02E reference throughout the several views, 10 designates one tubular member of thecon pling; and 11 designates the opposite tnbnlar memher thereof; The tu bnlzirr membcr ld is providednvithian integral rearivardly ex:

tendimgiferrule 12 into which" isfi'ttedione end of'a-"hoseor'pipe'liiu The hose l3 is ex placei The memiberi or section" 10 'h'as an outer flat en gaging face "1 5'yand' is provi ded in its-outer end With an elastic gasket or packing" into a correspondingly formed annular interior groove provided in the inner wall of the section 10. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, this gasket 16 extends slightly beyond the engaging face 15 of the section, so as to admit of the slight compression of the gasket 16, when the coupling sections are assembled, and thus provide for a relatively tight sealed joint. The section is further provided with a plurality of radiating projections at its outer end, the projections being inthe form of lugs 18, and keepers 19, which are alternately arranged in equidistantly spaced relation about the periphery ofthe section. 10. The lugs 18 have their outer surfaces flush with the engaging or abutting face 15 of the section, while the the coupling together, as will hereinafter 1 appear. Intermediate the ends of the lugs 18, recesses or notches 22 are providedwhich extend entirely through the lugs 18 from their front to their rear faces. The keepers of the section 10 comprise forwardly ofi*' sethooks with curved passages therein of a size to receive the lugs '18, and which have inner binding faces 23 lying in parallelism with, but spaced outwardly from,.the abutting face 15 of the section. The tubular 1 section or member 11 of the pipe coupling is provided with a forward fiat abutting face 24 to engage flat againstthe face 15, when the sections 10 and 11 are assembled. Thisv section 11 is also provided with a similar number of correspondingly shaped and formed projections 18 and 19, and adapted to interfit therewith. The projections 18 on the section 11 are of lug form and are of the identical contour, and are located in a similar manner, as are the lugs 18 of the section .10. The keepers or hooks 19 of the section 11 are also of similar form and arrangement as are the keepers 19 of the section 10. The keepers and'the lugs of both sections are alternately arranged in a circular row around the periphery of each section, and are spacedapart a suflicient distance to admit of thepassage of the opposed projections therebetween as the members are as-' sembled. The section 11 is provided with an elastic .gasket- 25 fitting in the outer end thereof and having an annular flange 26 seating in an interior annular groove formed in the inner wall of the section 11. As may which faces toward the outer end of the section 11. A nipple 29 is fitted in the inner end of the section 11 and has an outturned flange 30 thereon, rotatably fitting against the shoulder or rabbet 28, whereby the nipple 29 is free to turn independentlyof the section 11, but is carried thereby. The inner end of the nipple 29 is flat, and the flange 30 is integral therewith, so as to provide a substantially: flat engaging face between the nipple and the inner adjacent end of the gasket 25 which abutsthe nipple and thus forms a sealed joint between the section 11 and the rotatable nipple carried. thereby. An opposed length or section of hose 31 is fitted over the nipple 29, the swiveling of the nipple 29 in the section-"11 admitting of the turning of the section 11 independently of the length of hose 31.

The section 10 is provided at one side with a longitudinal hollow projection 32 provid-v ing a casing or housing for the reception of a locking latch 33, which extends longitudr nally in the casing. The projection 32 is integral with one of the keepers 19, as shown to advantage in-Fig. 5, and the latch 33 is provided with a nose or extension 34, which projects intorthe keeper 19, and lies in the inner circulanchann'el therethrough, so as to interrupt the channeland engage the lug 18 ofthe opposite section, when the cou pling is assembled. This nose 34 is of a width slightly less than that of the recess or notch 22 formed in the lug 18, and is adapted to seat in the recess 22and hold the lug 18 from movement laterally out of the keeper 19. The nose 34 is provided with an inner rounded face 35 adapted to ride over the cams 20 at the oppositeends of the lug 18, so as to automatically retract'the latch as thesections 10 and 11 are interfitted, and to place the latch in position to automatically lock the interfitting projections together.

The nose 34 of the'latch 33 projects through a recess or opening 36 formed in the outer side of the keeper 19, so that when the nose 34 is retracted it moves outwardly through the opening 36 to clear the lug 18 within the keeper.

The section 11' is provided with a radially extending housing 37 at one side'thereof and which is integral with the adjacent keeper 19. A latch 38 is mounted in the projection or casing 37 and is provided with an outwardly offset nose 39 having a rounded inner engaging face 40 adapted to seat in the notch 22 of the opposed lug 18, when fitting in the adjacent keeper 19. The keeper 19 has intermediate its ends, arecess or opening 41 through which thenOSei39; is adapted to,

or: projections 32,.and 37,,and are hingedly,

mounted adjacent their noses upon transverse pins 42v extending through the. housings, and shown in the apresentinstanceas in v the form of bolts havingrheads engaging against one side of each of the, housings and,

having retaining nuts 43 binding against: the opposite outer, sides of the housings. The bolts42 pass through the intermediate portions of the latches 33 and 38t0 pivotally support the latter, the latches eachhaving a ,finger plate H, upon itsupper edge, VhlClIilS ofsubstantial width andlength to entirely close the outer open sides'oii' therespective, casings 32 and 37, The finger plates 414 are held in extendedor outward position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4:, by means of asspring 45. The. springtais in the shape of a length of wire bent U-shapecl and havingthe intermediate portions of the opposite ends thereof coiled or, loopedzto provide hinge eyes 46 for engagement around the pivot, pins as, at the opposite sides of the respective latches 33 and 38. The looped orclosed ends, ofithe springslli bear against the inner or under sidesof the finger plates d hso as to hold the same extended, andithus yieldingly and normally hold thelatchesin lockingposition, The free endsfl'? of thesprings are slightly curved outwardly. to provide roun-dedicanr ends-to the springto admitof the sliding thereof in the bottom ,of, the housingsiduring the compression-and expansionofthe. springs, when the ,latches ,are operated. It will'be noted that the finger platese. in, both instances house not only the latches 33 and38, but alsoualltparts of the springs 45 and the inner parts of the pivotipins 42.,

hen it is desired to. connect the hose 13 to the hose 31, the sections 10 and: 11' are, brought together with their engagingfaces 15 and Qhin abutting relation, and the. sections 10 and -11,are so. relatively turned With respectto each other, as to bringtheopposedprojections 18-and-19 into offset relation,-as shown in Fig. 1,, It is, ofcourse, understoodthat any number; of these pros jections 1S and :19 maybeeniployed, but in, the-present instance,,eachsection is dis-i closed as having four projections providing, when the, coupling is assembled. two pairs of diametrically opposed iinterfitting projections.

The parts thus abutting, asshown in Fig. 1, the sections 10 and 11 are turneclrelatively to each other, preferably by rotating the swiveled section; 11, to engage the lugs 18 in the keepers-19 of the opposite sections.

As, the lugs l8 enterv the keepers, the binding cam faces 21 thereof engage against the straight binding faces of the keepers to draw the sections 10 and 11 together, and compress the gaskets 16 and :25 together, to thus securely bind the sections together, and sealthc joint therebetween. The operator is assistedmaterially, in the relative turningot the sections 10 and 11, by the projectionsor. housings 32 and 37, which constitute handles. he handles may be employed by grasping the handle 32 to hold the section 10 from turning,and simultaneously grasping thel'iandle 37 to-rotate the section 11 thereby, The latch plates 44 are mounted in the handles 32 and 37 so that in the act of turningthe sections relatively to uncouple the 1neml1 ers, the plates 44: may be easily depressed-by the fingers of the adjacent hands grasping .ihe han dles. This binding together 01" the gaskets l6 and 25 also binds the gasket 25 against the-inner abutting face of the nipple 29, so as to effectively seal the jointib'etween the nipple and'the section 11. Atithe same time, the lugs 18 engage their cam faces 20 against the rounded faces 35 and 40 of the latches 33 El11Cl138 to retractthe same against the tensions of their respective springs 4-5, and hold the latches retracted until the recesses in the lugs 18 and the keepers 19are brought into registry, at which time the noses 33 i and 39 of the latches snap into the recesses, and thus interlock the interlitting projections from relative lateral movement in either; direction.

lV-hen it is desired :to separate the sections 10 and -11, it is only necessary to depress the finger plates 44, whereby to retract the latches 33-and38 of the sections from the adjacent interfitting lugs, and to then rotate thesections relatively to each other. whereby todisen-gage the interfitting projections.

ItzlS thusseen that the coupling of this invention possesses all oiithe' advantages of the coupling forth in-the prior patented structure above referred to. and thatin ad ma locking means, which is a utonaa tie-ally retracted and always in position; tointerlock. the projections as soon,

shoulders, or any other devices on the mombers to interlock the same, as the lugs themselves, by their peculiar formation, serve not only to land the sectionstogether, but also to receive the latches and serve as looking elements. The outer or free ends of the latches 33 and 38 are each reduced in thickness, or are tapered as shown, to accommodate the intermediate or bridge pieces of the springs 4.5 and admit of their engagement, substantially, against the finger plates 44.

It is, of course, understood that it is within the spirit of the invention to make such changes and modifications as are permissible within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is 1-- 1. In a hose coupling, a section having a keeper thereon open at its opposite ends, a latch carried by the section and having a nose projecting into the keeper midway between its ends, a second section having a lug provided-with cam faces on its opposite ends for binding engagement in the opposite ends of the keeper to draw the sections together upon the relative turning of the same, the lug having a second pair of cam faces on its opposite ends and at its inner side for engagement with the opposite sides of said nose to retract the same, said lug also havinga notch therein between said second pair of cam faces adapted to receive said nose upon the registry of the latter with the notch.

2. In a hose coupling, a section having a lug with a notch therein, a second section having a keeper with an opening in its wall and adapted to receive the lug, the ends of said sections abutting each other whereby when the sections are rotated relatively to each other around their axis the keeper and lug will interlock clamping the sections against separation, a latch lever pivoted upon the second section and having a nose on its end adapted toproject through said opening in the keeper and into said notch in the lug and lock the lug in the keeper, and having a finger'portion upon its opposite end'by means of which the latch lever may be operated, a cam face on said lug for properly guiding said lever into engagement with said notch, and a spring tending to hold said lever in the notch thereby preventing the relative rotation of the sections.

3. In a hose coupling, a section, a keeper outstanding from the section, a casing carried by the section, a transverse pivot pin in the casing, a latch hinged upon said pin, a nose on said latch adapted to project into said keeper, a finger plate on the outer edge of the latch closing'the outer side of the cas ing, a spring secured to said pivot pin, and engaging at its opposite ends against the in ner side of said finger plate and the bottom of said casing to normally extend the latch and hold the nose thereof in the keeper, and a second section adapted to abut the first section, haying a lug thereon for engagement in the keeper, and having a cam f t gage the nose of said latch and retract the sameagainst the tension ofsaid spring,'said lug having a recess therein adapted to be brought into registry with said nose, where- 'by said spring is adapted tourge said nose handhold to'prevent turning of the section,

and the other housing projecting radially from its section to provide a hand lever by means of which the section may be rotated.

5. The combination with a pair of hose coupling sections,and complemental projections on each of said sections, of housings outstanding from the sections to provide handles therefor by means of which the sections may be turned relatively to each other to interfitthe complemental projections and hold the sections together, and to disengage the projections to separate the sections, a.

spring pressed latch in each housing adapted for engagement with an adjacent pair of the complemental sections when interfitted to hold the same from disengagement, and plates on said latches arranged at the outer sides of said housings for engagement with the fingers when grasping the housings, whereby said plates may be readily depressed to retract thelatches from the projections in separating said hose coupling sections.

6. The combination with a pair of hose coupling sections having interfitting projections adapted for engagement upon the relative rotation of said sections, ofa latch carried by each section adapted for engagement into one pair of said projections when interfitted to lock the same fromdisengagement, a housing on each section to protect the latches and projecting outwardly from the sections to provide hand holds, one housing extending longitudinally of its' section and adapted to be engaged by the hand to hold the section from turning, and the other housing extending radially from the opposite-section to provide a hand lever to admit the easy turning of the opposite section, and a swiveled' nipple carried by said opposite section for engagement with a hose end,

whereby to admit of the free turning of the section by the handle to interlock and 'separate the sections.

7. The combination with a pair of hose coupling sections, and interfitting projections carried by said sections, of a housing outstanding from each s ction adjacent one of the projections thereof, a latch mounted in each housing, a transverse pin in each housing engaging the latch for 'pivotally supporting the same, a U-shaped spring in each housing having a coil intermediate each arm thereof adapted for engagement about the pivot pin at the opposite sides of each latch, the closed ends of said springs engaging against the free ends of said latches and the open ends of the springs engaging in the bottoms of said housings whereby to urge the latches into engagement With the adjacent projection, the outer sides of said housings being open, and latch plates on the outer edges of said latches adapted to close said open sides of the housings and to lie in position to be depressed to release the latches by the fingers engaging the housings.

In testimony, that 1 claim the foregoing as my oWn, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

RANDOLPH N. MARTZ.

WVitnesses A. LE Roy MCCARDELL, VVARD C. ANGLEBERGER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

